Joschka Fischer was German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor from 1998-2005, a term marked by Germany's strong support for NATO's intervention in Kosovo in 1999, followed by its opposition to the war in Iraq. Fischer entered electoral politics after participating in the anti-establishment protests of the 1960s and 1970s, and played a key role in founding Germany's Green Party, which he led for almost two decades.

It is amazing: Mr. Fischer was foreign Minister in the cabinet of Mr. Schröder, which decided to make Germany a low-wage country via the program Agenda 2010. This was exactly the program which reduced the domestic consumption and enhanced the export. Now, he is complaining about the consequences of his policy and recommends the move in the opposite direction. Is he credible? Of cours he may have learned but it would be better if he admits his failure.

So awful, it's hard to know where to begin. But then I suppose if you have been bound up in the failed international group think in western politics then I suppose it's to be expected.

Let's start with the $50bn in tariffs "severely disrupting global trade". It's absolute peanuts. And it sent a message that no politician has had the courage to do since Reagan: diplomacy has failed - politician after politician has been knocking at German and Chinese doors to act, but met with rebuffs over and over again.

Mr Fischer your current account surpluses are dangerous and destabilizing. Other countries are running up budget deficits to sustain world demand, while Germany creams it off over and over again. You fail to mention wage rises too - German wages should be 100s % higher than they are, but the mercantilist model Germany runs keeps them low for reasons of competition.

It's remarkable that the centuries old paradox of thrift is so misunderstood in your country.

Not only that, but via the Euro you have destroyed the whole of EU demand too. Austerity policies never work - that was tested by the mid 1930s. Even Herr Hitler was a Keynesian.

So I put it to you sir, that President Trump is doing precisely what is necessary to cut through your Gordian knot of failed post war liberal values and demanding that the rules be rewritten. I suggest you try and recognize the enormous rent in the social fabric your awful ideas on globalization have had on the working classes of the west.

The author says in a trade war “Germany would be one of the biggest losers,” owing to its heavy reliance on exports since the 1950s. In fact, “few countries are more connected to the post-war order than Germany, which, like Japan, owes its economic resurgence after 1945 to the rules-based trading system.” Trump’s trade and foreign policies also mark a clear departure from the current world order – Pax Americana – that has secured global security for decades. The author also criticises “the foolishness of German policymakers who chose to ignore longstanding criticism of the country’s persistently high current-account surplus.” He rebukes Angela Merkel’s government for failing to reduce it, “by boosting domestic investment.” Or else Germany “would be in a far better position to respond to Trump’s threats.” Unfortunately neither Berlin nor Brussels is “in a strong position to stand up to Trump.” Trump’s trade war could take a toll on the German economy, while some EU members might feel “schadenfreude.” However a weakened Germany “would have immediate negative effects on the entire bloc.” Given the challenges the EU is facing – Brexit, rise of anti-EU populists and “political dissonance among member states – it is “hardly the time for disunity.” Therefore, it is imperative that Europeans “act quickly to preserve their unity and salvage the international system that has provided them with peace and prosperity for generations.”Mahatma Gandhi is said to have quipped: “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Trump ought to know that “a tit-for-tat transatlantic trade war would produce losers on all sides, and could usher in a new period of isolationism and protectionism.” An escalation of tensions would “lead to a collapse of the global economy and the disintegration of the West. For this reason, the EU has no choice but to negotiate, however grudgingly.”The author fears that the current crisis could “push Europe closer to China, which is already reaching out to the EU through its Belt and Road Initiative of investment and infrastructure projects across Eurasia.” But he thinks this new alternative “to transatlanticism” is not without risk, because “Europeans now have to worry not just about Russia, but also about a new Chinese superpower.” He says, “striking the right balance between East and West will be one of Europe’s most difficult challenges.” That Trump did not know that his “import tariffs on steel and aluminum will mostly help China, while hurting America’s European allies” shows how ignorant he is. He has accused China of flooding the world with cheap steel and aluminium in a way that forced many US plants to close becaue they could not compete with the Chinese low prices. He believes that tariffs will help revive the US steel and aluminium industries, and has not thought through the repercussions of his actions. Trump’s “America First” agenda is unambiguous, and he now surrounds himself with people who support his economic nationalism. Having campaigned as a protectionist, he is eager to prove himself one. “Trade wars are good and easy to win” he tweeted on March 2, assuming the spoils go to those who negotiate hardest. He has vowed to impose trade restrictions on any country that he felt had an unfair trade relationship with the US, following through on threats. His latest blueprints highlight the most protectionist US trade policy in roughly a century. Trump’s withdrawal from the the Trans-Pacific Partnership right after his inauguration was a boon for China. The trade deal would have created a bulwark against China in the Asia-Pacific region. Now, Beijing has a “chance to set the rules of trade in an area comprising some 60% of the world economy.” Unknowingly, Trump has played into the hands of Xi Jinping, who now can claim himself as the guardian of globalisation and free trade.

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